4 hours ago
La Masia seem to have already given their next gem to the Barcelona first team, with Xavi Espart the latest academy graduate seemingly ready for Hansi Flick's squad.
The 19-year-old Spanish gem broke into the first-team set-up in the latter stages of last season, even making his debut against Newcastle United at St James' Park.
Espart has since gone on to enhance his reputation with his performances for Spain Under-19 at the Euros and in the pre-season games under Flick.
Now, according to SPORT, Espart has emerged as one of the club's standout performers at the pre-season training camp, convincing the coaching staff in the process.
His exploits have strengthened his chances of earning a place in Flick's first team for the upcoming season, with the German and his staff pleased with his progress.
#Barcelona
The 19-year-old Spanish gem broke into the first-team set-up in the latter stages of last season, even making his debut against Newcastle United at St James' Park.
Espart has since gone on to enhance his reputation with his performances for Spain Under-19 at the Euros and in the pre-season games under Flick.
Now, according to SPORT, Espart has emerged as one of the club's standout performers at the pre-season training camp, convincing the coaching staff in the process.
His exploits have strengthened his chances of earning a place in Flick's first team for the upcoming season, with the German and his staff pleased with his progress.
#Barcelona
1 day ago
According to SPORT, FC Barcelona wrapped up their preseason training camp in England with an internal training match, providing Hansi Flick with encouraging news ahead of the team's return to Spain.
After the scheduled friendly against Preston North End was cancelled because the English club did not have enough first-team players available, Flick instead organised an in-house match at St. George's Park.
The game was played on Pitch 6, named after England legend Sir Bobby Charlton.
The session began shortly before midday and consisted of three 20-minute periods, and finished in a 1-1 draw.
The first team lined up with: Wojciech Szczesny, Xavi Espart, Andreas Christensen, Gerard Martin, Jofre Torrents, Marc Bernal, Marc Casado, Orian Goren, Karim Adeyemi, Ebrima Tunkara, and Alex Gonzalez.
#training #match #first #Barcelona
After the scheduled friendly against Preston North End was cancelled because the English club did not have enough first-team players available, Flick instead organised an in-house match at St. George's Park.
The game was played on Pitch 6, named after England legend Sir Bobby Charlton.
The session began shortly before midday and consisted of three 20-minute periods, and finished in a 1-1 draw.
The first team lined up with: Wojciech Szczesny, Xavi Espart, Andreas Christensen, Gerard Martin, Jofre Torrents, Marc Bernal, Marc Casado, Orian Goren, Karim Adeyemi, Ebrima Tunkara, and Alex Gonzalez.
#training #match #first #Barcelona
2 days ago
Barcelona are set to make another signing as João Cancelo's permanent transfer from Al-Hilal will be completed in the coming days.
According to Diario SPORT, the deal is "imminent" as there has been a breakthrough in talks between Barça and the Saudi club this weekend and an agreement is expected to be reached for €10 million.
The Portuguese full-back was spotted training alone in Portugal this week instead of returning to the Al-Hilal squad after the World Cup, and reports from Saudi confirmed his absence was agreed with the club as his departure is finalized.
Cancelo's signing was considered a key piece of business for Barça this summer and a personal request from Hansi Flick, who thoroughly enjoyed working with Cancelo during his loan spell in the second half of last season.
Cancelo's arrival will trigger exits for younger full-backs, with Héctor Fort, Xavi Espart and Jofre Torrents all expected to leave on loan to get minutes elsewhere. Flick is planning next season's squad with Jules Kounde and Eric García at right-back and Cancelo sharing left-back duties with Alejandro Balde.
#hilal
According to Diario SPORT, the deal is "imminent" as there has been a breakthrough in talks between Barça and the Saudi club this weekend and an agreement is expected to be reached for €10 million.
The Portuguese full-back was spotted training alone in Portugal this week instead of returning to the Al-Hilal squad after the World Cup, and reports from Saudi confirmed his absence was agreed with the club as his departure is finalized.
Cancelo's signing was considered a key piece of business for Barça this summer and a personal request from Hansi Flick, who thoroughly enjoyed working with Cancelo during his loan spell in the second half of last season.
Cancelo's arrival will trigger exits for younger full-backs, with Héctor Fort, Xavi Espart and Jofre Torrents all expected to leave on loan to get minutes elsewhere. Flick is planning next season's squad with Jules Kounde and Eric García at right-back and Cancelo sharing left-back duties with Alejandro Balde.
#hilal
3 days ago
Barcelona played their first official pre-season friendly against Birmingham City, and Hansi Flick named a very youthful team from the outset.
The German manager played Xavi Espart at right-back ahead of Hector Fort, and the 19-year-old did not put a foot wrong during his time on the pitch.
According to Mundo Deportivo, he took another important step towards establishing himself in Hansi Flick's plans with an ******* ured performance at right-back during Barcelona's 2-2 draw.
The 19-year-old started the match and completed 62 minutes before being replaced by Brian Farinas.
His selection from the opening whistle was already a strong show of trust from Flick, and Espart responded with a display full of composure and tactical intelligence.
#hansi #espart #played #back
The German manager played Xavi Espart at right-back ahead of Hector Fort, and the 19-year-old did not put a foot wrong during his time on the pitch.
According to Mundo Deportivo, he took another important step towards establishing himself in Hansi Flick's plans with an ******* ured performance at right-back during Barcelona's 2-2 draw.
The 19-year-old started the match and completed 62 minutes before being replaced by Brian Farinas.
His selection from the opening whistle was already a strong show of trust from Flick, and Espart responded with a display full of composure and tactical intelligence.
#hansi #espart #played #back
24 days ago
Xavi Espart has been shining for Spain's Under 19s this summer and has switched roles for his stint on international duty.
The full-back has been playing in midfield and has been among the goals as Spain have booked their place in the final of the Under-19s Euros against Germany.
Espart has been asked about his position switch and if Hansi Flick should be trying him in midfield next season for Barcelona.
"Hansi will decide what needs to be done. Right now, the important thing is Saturday. We've fought hard to be here, and I'm fully focused on the final," he told Marca.
"At Barça I was able to make my debut as a full-back, and here I play as a defensive midfielder, which is where I played until I was a youth player.
The full-back has been playing in midfield and has been among the goals as Spain have booked their place in the final of the Under-19s Euros against Germany.
Espart has been asked about his position switch and if Hansi Flick should be trying him in midfield next season for Barcelona.
"Hansi will decide what needs to be done. Right now, the important thing is Saturday. We've fought hard to be here, and I'm fully focused on the final," he told Marca.
"At Barça I was able to make my debut as a full-back, and here I play as a defensive midfielder, which is where I played until I was a youth player.
28 days ago
Following Portugal’s untimely elimination from the FIFA World Cup, FC Barcelona are speeding up their pursuit of João Cancelo. The fullback played on loan from Al Hilal last season, and the Catalans are keen on making the deal permanent following impressive performances.
According to RAC1, Barcelona have reached a verbal agreement with Al-Hilal that will see them pay no more than 10 million euros including bonuses for the defender. He had trouble settling in in Saudi Arabia, but he surprised Hansi Flick by putting in impressive performances when he returned to the top five leagues.
The player himself reportedly felt let down by the Saudis, who left him out at a time he needed match rhythm to arrive at the World Cup. He made it clear to them that he was unwilling to return, which left Barcelona in a good negotiating position.
Cancelo will likely sacrifice quite a bit in salary to make the transfer work, but he’s willing to do it to continue playing at the highest level and be at a club he feels comfortable in. He will sign a two-year deal with the option for one more year at Camp Nou.
His transfer means likely exits for Héctor Fort and Xavi Espart, with both a transfer or a loan possible for either. Barça had looked at other options for a left-back in the transfer market, but ultimately their first choice was Cancelo.
According to RAC1, Barcelona have reached a verbal agreement with Al-Hilal that will see them pay no more than 10 million euros including bonuses for the defender. He had trouble settling in in Saudi Arabia, but he surprised Hansi Flick by putting in impressive performances when he returned to the top five leagues.
The player himself reportedly felt let down by the Saudis, who left him out at a time he needed match rhythm to arrive at the World Cup. He made it clear to them that he was unwilling to return, which left Barcelona in a good negotiating position.
Cancelo will likely sacrifice quite a bit in salary to make the transfer work, but he’s willing to do it to continue playing at the highest level and be at a club he feels comfortable in. He will sign a two-year deal with the option for one more year at Camp Nou.
His transfer means likely exits for Héctor Fort and Xavi Espart, with both a transfer or a loan possible for either. Barça had looked at other options for a left-back in the transfer market, but ultimately their first choice was Cancelo.
